Target-throwing apparatus



. 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 E1-Wm F .E ahime r11-1 (Mrs, ,Y

sept, 1, 1925.

- E. F. BAHLMANN TARGET lTHROWING APPARATUS Filed fan 19, 1922 Patented Sept. l, 1925.

' UNITED` STATES lPATl-:NT OFFICE,

Enwm r. BAHLMANN, or 'MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN.

TABJGET-THROWING APPARATUS.

Application med January 19, 1922. Seriall No. 530,377. y

useful improvements in target traps andV refers more particularly to an apparatus of this character so designed and constructed l5 as to be capable of use in a gallery or field.

One objection to the present type of target traps is that they require the constant service of an attendant and, therefore, it is an object of this invention to so design an apparatus of the character described whereby the necessity of a trap attendant is .en-

I tirely eliminated.

Another object of thisf'invention is to provide an apparatus ofthe character describedl having means permitting its remote control,

either as an automatically varying trajectory throwing machine, or a single trajectory throwing machine, at the will of the operator. v It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the character described which is capable vof throwing either a single target, a pair of targets atan operation, or more than two if desired.

Another object/,of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described which willthrow a cycle of trajectories and which will repeat any particular trajectory This invention has for a further object to provide an apparatus of the character described which will produce trajectories at short range which simulate the paths of clay .birds as viewed by the shooter, thus establishingshort range or indoor trap shooting.'

A still-4 further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described designed for delivering flying targets at trajectories suitable for small arms practice for all types of arms.

And a still further object of this invention `ing.' v ,j j With the above and other objects in view is to provide an'apparatus of the character described having means adjustable to throw targets in any inclined plane as well as in a substantially vertical plane to thus produce a trap capable of general trap shootwhich will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, comhination and arrangementof parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made' as come within the scope of the claims.`

In the accompanying drawings, I- have illustrated one com lete example of the physical embodiment ol) my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a target throwing trap using my improved target directing device;

Figure 2 is an edge view of the ilexlble -target .directing device detached from the trap' Figure 3 isa plan view thereof;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed view of the outer end of the trajectory varying cony I necting rod; Y

Figure 5 1s an enlarged top view thereof; Figure 6 is a section through the trajectory varying crank on plane .of line 6-6, Figure 1 showing adjustment features;

Figure 7 is an end view of tra-p illustrated in Flgure 1, the plates being sectioned on a vertical plane through axis of 'the sup- Port; y Figure 8I is a view of shaft and o rating parts which permit remote control? Y 4 Figure 9 is a view of the main crank for operating trap;

Figure v10-is a detailed view of casting for l supporting operating end of trajectory varyin mechanism;

igure 11 is a detailed view partl in section and 'partly in diagrammatic e evation,

of the device used to place either or both trajectory varying of the magazines into operation from a remote point, said section being taken on the line 11--11 of Figure 15;

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 1;

Figure 13 isa front view of the device used to separate double trajectories any desired degree;

Figure 14 1s an edge view thereof;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary detailed viewv illustrating the arrangement of mechanism used to adapt machine to throwing doubles;

Figure 16 is a detailed view of the throwing arm employed to throw doubles;

Figure 17 is a side elevation of a trap equipped with a modified form of device for varying the direction of a target thrown from the trap Figure -18 is a fragmentary sectional view @taken on the line 18-18 of Figure 17;

merals designate like parts throughout the several A,.views, the numeral 5 designates a suitable support provided with bearings 6 and 7 for shafts 8 and 9, respectively. Shaft 8 is hollow with a' throwing shaft 10 journaled therein, on one end of which is mounted a throwing arm 11 and on -the other end of which is secured a collar 12 carrying a spring finger 13 adapted to engage behind a stop 14 carried by one yoke member of a universal joint 15 made fastto shaft 8. Stop 14 is made cam shape so that shaft 10 cannot be driven in retrograde direction, Pinion 35 is attached to shaft 8 as shown.

Shaft 8 is adapted to be rotated by a rod or other control member 16 connected with the universal joint 15 and has its outer end journaled in lbearing member 17 located at some point remote from the apparatus, preferably at the position occupied by a shooter, the outer end of the rod having a hand crank or handle 18 secured thereto for convenient operation. Rotation of shaft 8 will bring pin 14 into engagement with finger 13', consequently rotating shaft 10 and when shaftlO is rotated, the energy stored in a spring19 is increased to the point at which the throw takes place. Spring 19 is connected at one e'nd to a crank which carries the throwing arm and at its other end to an adjustable .eye-bolt 20 attached to a bracket 20 secured in place by a 'cap screw 21 which serves to secure the plates 22 and 22" and a race member 23, in spaced relation, forming a target guide.

Member 23 has its outer major portion formed by a strip of resilient metal 24 secured at itsinner end, as at 25, at the termination of member 23. Member 24 is nor- -mally urged to the positionillustrated in dotted lines in Figure 1, against the spacing washers carried by securing bolts 26, strip 24 having laterally projecting lugs 27 on one longitudinal edge which are movable in involute slots or openings 28 in one plate 22', the inner terminations of said slots being arranged on an imaginary arc struck from the axis of shaft 10.

Passing through the uppermost slot 28 and engaging the outer face of member 24,.

is a pin 29 provided with a guiding groove 29 formed on the outer end of a rod 30 having its .inner end pivotally secured to a crank arm 31, fixed to one end of shaft 9. Slidably, but non-rotatably mounted on the y,other end of shaft 9 is a yoke member of a universal joint 33 attached to a gear wheel 34, gear wheel 34 being movable to mesh with a pinion 35 fixed to shaft 8, set collar.

32 preventing longitudinal movement of shaft 9 when the gear is shifted. Connected with the universal joint member 33 is a control rod or shaft 36, the outer end of which is slidably, as well as rotatably, journaled in a bearing member 37 mounted at a point adjacent bearing 17 means being provided for the securement of shaft 36 in either of its two positions, meshing gears 34 and 35, or with said gears disengaged.l

Rotatably mounted in bearing 37 is a bushing 38- in which rod 36 is rotatably and slidably mounted, said bushing beingv provided with a crank or handle 39 and having a spring urged pin or plunger 40 adapted for engagement in either of the grooves 41 or 42 formed in rod 36, and when'plunger 40'is engaged in groove 42, a pin 43 carried by shaft 36 engages in a notch 44 in the inner end of bushing 38' to drivingly connect said bushing and shaft whereby rotation of crank 39 will revolve shaft 9 independently of shaft 8. When the parts are in the position illustrated in Figure 8, bushing 38 is free of shaft 36 and consequently rotation of crank 39 will have no effect, but a rotation of crank 18 will4 simultaneously rotate shafts 8 and 9 through the medium of gears 34 and 35. When it is desired to lock shaft 36 in any desired position of adjustment, bearing 37 is drawn tight by use of the binding bolt 45.

' The normal friction of bearing 37 on bushing 38. is adjusted so thatshaft 36 will retain any desired setting in spite ofthe effect of the spring member 24 and the cranks attached to shafts 36 and 9, when gears 34 and 3 5 are disengaged. Bushing 38 is held l guideway when it reaches its adjustable against longitudinal displacement in bearing 37 by the set screw 37 which extends into a groove turned in bushing 38..

In order that a fresh target 46 may be positioned at the inner end of lthe target guide in the path of arm 11 for each actuation, a feed trough 47 communicates therei with, said trough being preferably so clesigned and constructed as to supply the targets either in singles or pairs. In the event trough 47- be empty when a target is placed therein at its receiving end and in order to prevent the jumping of the target into the limit stop 48, to be later described, I provide one or more dogs 49, as best illustrated in Figures 1 and 15. l

Stop 48 is in theJ form of a pin carried by an armor lever 5() journaled to one plate 22 which pin projects through an arcuate slot 51 yin said plate and being normally yieldably urged to the position illustrated in Figure 1 by a spring 52 coiled about an eye-bolt 53 carried by the adjacent guide plate. Spring 52 is confined between a tension adjusting end 54 and a lug 55 on lever through which bolt 53 slidably passes, the movement of pin 48 under action of spring 52 being limited to a position spaced from the beginning'of the guideway by a distance slightly less than the diameterof targets 4 by adjusting nuts 56. As will be readily obvious, when the energyl of the throwing arm actuating means is released, the pressure brought to bear against the target 46, which is 'in position to be operated upon, will cause stop 48 to yield and target 46 will be ejected.

As it isoften times highly desirable that a pair of targets be thrown at a single operation, I provide means whereby this feature is obtainable and at the same time a single target can be thrown by the manipulation of but one bar. Referring to Figures 11 ,and4 15, a partition plate 57 is centrally located in trough 47 changing it so that the targets pass therethrough in pairs, as is obvious'from the drawings, in which case two stops 48 are employed as well as two dogs 49 and the outer end of the throwing` arm 11 is forked as at 58 to accommodate partition 57. A .double race or race of douv ble width is used as 23-23 Figure 11.

As often times it is dsirable to throw but one target, I provide means for preventing the feeding to the guideway of the targets on` either side of partition 57, whichl means consists of a lslidably mounted bar 59 secured against rotation having two spaced spring fingers 60 which are adapted to have their pointed or roughened laterally projecting ends 61 projected into the trough through openings 62 in the sides thereof.

In order that the targets of the pairs will lthe repetition of the third last trajectory not be thrown at the same trajectories, the outer end portion of member 24- preferably has one longitudinal half provided with a spring plate 63 which has its inner end made fast to member 24 and its outer end adjustable by a set screw 64,l as best shown in Figures 13 and 14.

From the foregoing description taken in l connection 'with the' accompanying drawings it will be readily obvious that the operation of luy-machine is substantially as fol.- lows: Trough 47 is filled with targets from any suitable point of supply and the innermost target or targets will be positioned as illustrated in Figures 1 and 15l by dotted lines.. I'Vhen the operator, if he desires to employ the' automatically changing trajectory mechanism, moves pin 40 out of engagement with groove 42, and shifts shaft 36'inwardly until pin 40 engages in groove 85 41` when gears 34 and 35 will be in mesh. Crank 18is then rotated in aclockwise di- 'rection to engage pin 14 behind finger 13. to thus driving] connect shaftsl 8 and 10 and rotate the t rowing member 11 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 storing up energy in spring 19.

By reason of gears 34 and 35 being meshed, crank 31 is rotated at a considerably slower speed than shaft 10 to vary the position vof race member 24 and as the arm 11 reaches the position illustrated by dotted lines at the right of Figure 1, the energy of spring 19 is released and the target or targets, engaging stop 4.8' is rapidly swept through the guide and impelled therefrom, the trajectory being governed by the position of the outer4 end of member 24. at the time the Atarget leaves the apparatus. Should it be desired to repeat the last ,trajectory thrown, this can be done by turning crank 18 one revolution counter-clockwise then proceed again in clockwise direction. Three rotations counter-clockwise will cause etc. due to pin 14 being formed cani shape on its rear face. j The variation between extremes of-trajectories thrown is governed by the position of the pivot 30 of pitman 30 with respect to the axis of shaft 9', the pivot 30 being adjustably secured to crank 31, as illustrated -in Figure 6. In the event smaller targets are employed, I provide mea-ns for adjusting the dead point of the throwing member by slotting the opening in the securing plate 20 through which the securing bolt 21 paes in order to provide lateral adjustment of` member 20 to avoid subjecting the target to impact.` Stop members 48 are adjustable by means of nuts 56 to accommodate different sizes of targets.

When it is .desired to eliminate the automatic changing of the trap, rod 36 is moved outwardly and pin 4() engaged in groove 42.

of the operator by the manipulation of' crank 39, Thetargets are presented to the guide' 1n pairs or singles by the mechanism 'illustrated in Figures 11 and 15 and the operation of this feature will be apparent lfrom the above description, notches 59 serving to lock bar 5S) against accidental derangement. trough 47 terminate preferably near cranks 18 and 39, thus eentralizing theI complete relnote control of the apparatus.

In Figures 17 to 22, inclusive, I have illustrated a slightly modified form of my invention, in which. in lieu of the hollow shaft S', a solid shaft 65 is provided for the throwing member 11 which is preferably in the form of a spring rod secured to shaft 65 and having coils 66 with its outervend struck laterally and then longitudinally, as at 67, for engagement with an adjustable stop 68 when it reaches a position of engagement with the innermost target or targets 46. Adjustment of stop 68 is provided to vary the amount of energy stored in the throwing spring when it becomes operative as well as to avoid impact for any size of target employed. Then end 67 engages stop 68, the continued' rotation of shaft stores energy in the coil 66 until member 11a is shortened sutiiciently to disengage end 67 from stop 68. Member 11a then sweeps through the target guide and impels the target or targets' engaged from the apparatus.

In lieu of the flexing race member 24, in this form of my invention, I provide one or more shifting race members 69 the inner` peripheries of which are struck on -an are employing the axis of shaft 65 as a center. Members 69 are connected together by suitable securing bolts 7 0 and 71, which have secured thereto the adjacent ends of a substantially T-shaped lever 72 having its inner end journaled about bearing 6. Bolt 71 is provided with suitable roller bearings 73 which engage a portion of the periphery of plates 22 and 22 forming a track 74 and bolt passes through an arcuate slot 7 5 in one plate 22 whereby shifting or swinging of lever 72 on its pivot will vary the position of the outer ends of race member 69 with respect to the vertical and consequently7 adjust Bar 59 and .target supply 11n in order that the inertia thereof maybe readily adjusted as will be obvious.

One of the movable race sections 69 is provided with arcuate slots at 70 and 71 respec- 1 tively. Both slots are struck on an are using the axis -of shaft 65 as a center. Thus by loosening bolts 7 O and 71, thisl section can be shifted so that double trajectories may be separated any desired degree. lVhat I claim as my invention is:

1. In an. apparatus of the character described, a target guide, a target throwing member operable to impel a target from the y guide, means for adjusting the guide for difscribed, an adjustable target guide, a resili-V ent target throwing member operable to impel a target from the guide, and a` single means operable fromv a remote point for simultaneously stressing'the throwing member to effec-t the operation of thel'target throwing member and adjusting the guide to produce a different trajectory after each actuation of the target throwing member.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a target guide, a target throwing member operable to impel a target from the guide, means operable from a point remote from the apparatus for simultaneously effecting the operation of the target throwing member and adjusting the guide to produce a different trajectory after each actuation of the target throwing member, means operable to prevent the simultaneous operation of the target throwing member by the first named means, and means independent'of the first lnamed means for operating the target throw-- ing member. l

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a supporting frame, a target guide, a target throwing shaft journaled in the frame, an arm carried by said shaft and arranged to sweep the guide, a second shaft` a connection between the second shaft andA said guide whereby rotation of said shaft adjusts the guide to produce vdifferent trajectories, means for rotating the first named shaft, means for rotating the second shaft, and means for independently operating said shafts.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a supporting frame, a target guide, a target throwing shaft j ournaled in the frame, an arm carried by said shaft and arranged to sweep the guide, a second shaft, a connection between the second shaft and'said guide whereby rotation of said shaft adjusts the guide to produce different trajectories,means for rotating the first named shaft, means for rotating` the second shaft, means for permitting independent operation of said shafts,

A operative `and to rotate only said first and means for coordinating said shafts to operate simultaneously.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a supporting frame, a targetv guide, a target throwing shaft journaled in the frame, an'arm carried by said shaft and arranged to sweep the guide, a second shaft, a connection between the second shaft and said guide whereby rotation of said shaft adjusts the guide to. produce different trajectories,imeans for rotating the first named shaft, means for rotating the second shaft, a detachable drive connection between said shafts, and a control member positioned at a point remote from the apparatus` and arranged tol simultaneously operate both of said shafts when said drive connection is operative and to rotate but one of said shafts when said drive connection is inop erative.

^ 7. In an apparatus of, the character described, a supporting frame, a target throwing shaft journaled in thel frame, an arm carried by said shaft and arranged to sweep f the guide, a second shaft, a connection between the second shaft and said guide whereby rotation of-said shaft adjusts the guide to produce different trajectories, means for rotating the first named shaft, means for rotating the second shaft, a detachable drive connection between said shafts, a control vmember positioned at a point remote fromv the apparatus and arrangedto simultaneously operate both of said shafts when the drive connection is operative and torotate only said first. shaft when the drive connection is inoperative, and a second control member remote from the apparatus for operating the second named shaft independent of the first shaft when said drive connection is inoperative.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, .a supporting frame, a -target throwing shaft journaled in the frame, an arm carried by said shaft and arranged to sweep the guide, a second shaft, a connection between the second shaft and said guide whereby rotation of said shaft adjusts the guide to produce differentV trajectories,

means for rotating the first named shaft,

means for rotating the second shaft, a detachable drive connection between said shafts, `a control member positioned at a point remote from the apparatus and arranged to simultaneously operate both of said shafts when said drive connection isnamed shaft when the drive connection 1s inoperative, a control rod extended from the first named shaft to a point remote from the apparatus and adapted upon rotation, with the drive connection in operation, to rotate both of s aid shafts, a second control rod extended from the second shaft to permit independent operation thereof when the drive connection is inoperative, and means actuated by manipulation of one of sald conytrolrods to actuate said drive connection.

means for feeding targets to the guide from said trough yin pairs, and means operable to prevent the feeding to the guide of either one of the targetsof any pair. l,

12. An apparatus of thecharacter described, including a target guide, a-target feed trough communicating therewith, means for feeding targets to the guide from said trough in pairs, and means operable from a pointremote from the apparatus to prevent the feedingto the guide from the trough of one of the targets of any pair.

13. An apparatus of the character ,described, including a target guide, a trough communicating at one end of said guide -for feedingtargets thereto, a yieldable stop engaging the innermost target of the trough to position the same for engagement with a target throwing member arranged to sweep! the guide, and means cooperating with said stop to prevent the accidental dis-V lodgment of a target upon striking the stop.

14. An apparatus of the character described, Yincluding aI target guide, a feed trough communicating with the guide for supplying targets thereto in pairs, a partition in said trough separating the targets of each pair, and a stop movable in said itrough to hold one target of a pair from being fed to the guide whereby targets may be fed thereto in either doubles or singles.

15. An apparatus of fthe character described, including a targetguide, a feed trough communicating with a guide for supplying targets thereto in pairs, a partition in said trough separating the targets of each \.pair, and stop lingers movable to project Into either side of the trough to engage either one of the targets of a pair whereby but a single target maybe fed to the guide.

16. An apparatus of the character described, a strip along which targets are adapted to be accelerated from rest to dis-v charge velocity, and means for changing theA form of said strip throughout the major portion of its length to vary the resulting trajectories of targets accelerated thereover.

11n fanapparatus of the character des 11 ed,.a vstrip along which targets are adapted to` be accelerated from rest to discharge velocity, and means for changing the of said strip to vary the resulting trajectories.

l18. An apparatus of the character described, including a target guide comprising side plates and a bottom race member of yieldable material and made fast at its inner end, means for flexing said race member along the majorportion of its length whereby targets impelled from the appa*- ratus may be thrown at various trajectories.

19. An apparatus of the character described, including a target guide compris.

ing side plates and a bottom race member of yieldable material and made. fast at its inner end, and means controlling the curve along which said race member is flexed.

l 20. An apparatus of the character de- -scribed having a target guide including a race member and along which targets are. impelled by a suitable throwing member vin. pairsfand" singles, and means associated with` thenuide whereby the targets of any simuli taneously thrown pair will have different trajectories.

21. An apparatus of the character described having a target guide including a race member and through which targets are impelled by a suitable throwing member in pairs and singles, a flexible end portion carried by one member, and means for adjusting saidfiexible member portion whereby the targets of any pair impelled from the guide will have different trajectories.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, a throwing member, and a duplex magazine for presenting targets to said member.

.permitting the employment of targets longitudinal edge. of the race zine for presenting targets to the throwing member, and means for controlling the operation of the magazine., said means being positioned at akpoint remote from the apparatus.

In an apparatus of the character described, a throwing member, a magazine for presenting targets to the throwing member, and an adjustable, yieldable member of diiTere-nt sizes in the magazine.

2G. In an apparatus of the character described, a throwing member, a magazine for presenting targets to'thethrowing member, means for feeding targets from the magazine to the throwing member, and means for adjusting's'aid feed means to accommodate targets of different sizes.

27. In an apparatus of the character described, a target supply magazine, means` for feeding targets in said magazlne to a discharge position, and an adjustable stop against which the inner targets of the. magazine are e-ngageable whereby'targets of various sizes may be employed in the magazine. v

v28. In an apparatus of the character described, a target supply magazine, means for feeding targets in said magazine to av discharge position, and an adjustable stop against which the inner targets of the magazine are engageablewhereby more than one target can be fed at one operation.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.l

ERIVIN F. BAHLMANN. 

